JCL-QA

JCL-QA is an invaluable tool for the end user or the administrator which allows scanning and correcting JCL at a level from individual JCL job streams to entire JCL libraries as well as job streams extracted from job scheduling systems. Each JCL stream is directly driven through z/OS’s converter/interpreter which expands the JCL and builds all of the internal control blocks that would normally exist when a job is run. These control blocks are then available to the DTS Software Policy Rules Engine for job validation or standards enforcement. JCL-QA can:

  • Fully enforce installation JCL and naming standards, via ISPF or batch interface
  • Perform validation on local or remote systems using genuine converter / interpreter routines
  • Order and validate multiple JCL streams
  • Automatically simulate catalog and VTOC updates between JCL steps

JCL-QA is based on the JCL scan facility used by the MON-Snapshot to scan and report on JCL found in PDS and sequential data sets. JCL-QA is an enhanced version of the original JCL scan facility. The product has been designed to simulate the job flow found in a batch window, and to perform a series of tests on the job streams to validate that the jobs will run on the target system. The product:

  • ensures that the programs executed by steps are found in the appropriate STEPLIB, JOBLIB or system libraries

  • validates volume and unit names

  • validates SMS construct names used by the JCL

  • validates data set availability and usage

  • simulates passed data set usage in a job

  • simulates catalog activity as one or more jobs are “executed”

  • can be used to enforce installation JCL standards

  • can be executed as a batch job or from an ISPF session

  • can simulate jobs on remote systems

Benefits

  • High speed JCL validation minimizes overnight production impact

  • Affordable pricing (versus established product offerings)

  • Ensures system compatibility by utilizing the operating system’s converter/interpreter program to expand the JCL

  • Provides maximum flexibility utilizing modern rules language

  • Proven code – based on existing MONitor product

  • DTS renowned support

The marketing literature is available to all visitors. The product manuals are only available to registered customers and companies trialing DTS products – login is required. To request authorized access, please complete the Registration form. DTS customer support will review your request. Upon approval, you will receive access notification by E-mail within one business day.

WEBINARS

An Introduction to JCL

 Jul 26
2022		 87.00 MB 60 Minutes
Mysteries of the Storage Group – (part 4 of our series on “The Mysteries of SMS”) Jun 29
2021		 108.00 MB 61 Minutes
Mysteries of the Management Class and the Data Set Life Cycle – (part 3 of our series on “The Mysteries of SMS”) May 25
2021		 114.00 MB 61 Minutes
Mysteries of the Storage Class – (part 2 of our series on “The Mysteries of SMS”) Apr 20
2021		 117 MB 66 Minutes
Mysteries of the Data Class (and more) – (part 1 of our series on “The Mysteries of SMS”) Mar 23
2021		 101 MB 60 Minutes
DTS Software’s New Product – JCL-QA Feb 28
2012		 83.68 MB 52 Minutes
MARKETING LITERATURE
JCL-QA Product Sheet Mar 09 2012 103.78 KB
PRODUCT MANUALS
MON-JCLQA User’s Guide Mar 06 2017 501.42 KB
Product Installation Guide Nov 01 2018 1.04 MB
Rule Language Programming Guide May 24 2018 1.55 MB
SCC Messages Manual Nov 15 2018 1.02 MB

SCC Monitor has had the ability to scan JCL since the late 1990s. Originally, this facility was used by the DTS ABARs backup product (ABC) to scan application JCL to extract data set usage information. During the past few years, several customers and DTS distributors have asked for the JCL scan feature to be upgraded into a full-fledged JCL validation product. In early 2010, DTS developers started a low-priority project to create MON-JCLQA. After several years of part-time work, DTS released MON-JCLQA in late 2011.